Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-07

THE GROWTH OF BossIsM.


government, built upon the theory and
expectation that the will Of the majority
would be known freely, and without COW
or coercion. But, in fact, the actual will
of the majority is now the most difficult of
all things political to ascertain, for the
political boss intervenes and so limits the
field of expression in choosing between
men or principles, that in but few cases
is the full, free and untrammeled will of
the voter made manifest.
1t has come to pass latterIy that the
American sovereign is not now often con-
suited concerning his own, but has rather
become in most cases the convenient and
unresisting instrument for the accomplish
ment of the ends of the political bosses,
the crack of whose whips is sharper than
was that of any which clipped the skin
from the backs of plantation slaves. These
new rulers of American kings sit without
the halls of legislation and dictate through
their subservient tools the determination
of the policy of the State. With regard
only for notoriety for the possession of
"power," with concern only for the fatten-
ing Of their pockets with coin, they deter
mine what shall be the law, who may rise
and who shall fall. They sit in ante
chambers of intemperance, and make and
unmake State and municipal admins
traitors, and determine the framing of con-
stitutions and statutes. Their power is
undeniable, and whosoever is not blind
and deaf cannot avoid witnessing the man
Hesitation every day and hour in every
city and State of the republic. 1t is
power that springs direct from the people,
and may be said 10 be an unequiyocal
grant and a warrant, with letters royal to
rule. 1t has come to pass that no man
dare present himself for candidacy in
party to the principles of which he is
attached, or propose measure for law to
conserve the good of the people, until he
has placated these new gods by sacri6cial
offerings OF money, promise, and assignment
of personal and political independence.
The beginning of government is in the
ward meeting, the district assembly, the
town club, where citizens are supposed to
consult each other concerning the fittest
persons to represent them in Conventions
to select candidates for office or the seats OF
the lawmakers. But average citizens in
largest number neglect this fundamental
privilege and duty, and the political boss
controlling, as only he can, the vicious and
mercenary classes, takes possession Of the
neglected caucus, maps out the proceedings
Of the primary meeting, elects whom he
pleases as delegates, and as a consequence,
dominates his men, leaving the voter but
the equivoeal privilege OF accepting the
choice. 1t thus becomes far easier for as
piring men to deal with the boss direct,
and leave all the details by which results
are reached to his skilled manipulation,
than to contest for the honest Endorsement
of the people. Thus it has come to
pass that bossism in America is
system of political brokerage vulgar,
dangerous and vicious commission business
These shrewd, skilled and far-seeing po-
litieal Richelieus, whose ability and sue
cess in controlling, using and trading men
in the new slave market Of free government,
c mmand admiration, have common cause
in all their works, however much theseem-
ing of party fealty may appear to divide
them. 0fiice-flling and the exercise
ofpolitieal power are the ends; party but
the convenient means.
We speak Of free men and free coun
try, of liberty and equality, and use the
terms asrallying cries; but, after all. in
seven cases out Of ten, we are but shouting
them for a choice made or policy devised
long prior TO the birth of our en-
thusiasrn, and in which selection or deter
mination We played the part neither of
free men, equals, nor the citizens of a free
country. Civil government in fact,
threatens 10 become bossism incarnate, and
in many localities the incarnation is COM
plete. The large cities, indeed, where
iossism does not typify one-man power,
corruption and the bondage of the So
called free choice, are 50 few as to prac-
fiaalIY cut no figure in the consideration
OF the question.
Who can doubt if these thing are true,
that the seepter Of Ameriean sovereignty is
passing over to few men for whom no
better title than the vulgar one "bosses'
can be eotsured up. and ,lat Tie Iibertiesof
the people are gravely nenaeed. The
condition Of things IA civil government
with Us to-day does hot want ior
historical parallels, and tisy point
with sinister finger 10 descent % po-
Iiticai slavery ana email slbversio1 Of
that liberty which wa are Taught &c believe
should te the chief Source of cur pride
and The one greas obcot Of cur solicituae
History is ali lut tires0ea IL It's fepeti-
tien q tie deseAslatl @ Reettsf WHO
have surrsnderei politics. power 30 those
who made merchandise Of il. No citireu-
snip invested wish a sovereign sigas egeg
delegated to. Or permitted lis exercise by
smother, without iuepefiiiag is charter
Liberty is not mere seatlmsnt i
means something real, taagihle, irleg
aclual. ltiasan5 the free casting Of Che
laiLl5 Ter administrators Of civil govern
nsent to carry out our wills, accomplish
our desires and make effective oaE iuog-
merts. It means lawmakers AID cincefs
freely chosen to 10 for Us tie bes; tiias can
be soae 10 tenses7e life, liberty, economy